Chapter 1649


    Chapter 1649


    When Lea returned to their table, she had every intention to abide by her mother’s advice to keep her


    mouth shut and avoid getting into an argument with Sophia.


    But Sophia was testy and seemed intent on provoking her. It was downright infuriating!


    Lea red at Sophia, her irritation evident, and snapped, “It’s none of your business!”


    Sophia’s face stiffened, but she didn’t retaliate against Lea. Instead, she turned her attention to Bertha.


    “Bertha, is this the result of your parenting? Looks like all your coddling has left you with no authority


    over Lea. She doesn’t respect you or listen to you anymore! I think it’s high time that Dad steps in to


    discipline Lea properly!”


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    Bertha looked at Sophia. She always tried to treat Sophia like her own, hoping to win her over.


    But over the years, Sophia never reciprocated this sentiment. She never respected Bertha, and only


    feigned politeness in front of their father, Thaddeus.


    Bertha could overlook Sophia’s attitude towards herself, but what she found hard to ept was


    Sophia’s constant bickering with Lea.


    She had tried to make the two half-sisters get along, always reminding Lea to respect Sophia.


    But now, she didn’t see the point anymore!


    Since they couldn’t get along, so be it. She had wrongly used Lea once already, and she couldn’t


    stand to see Lea mistreated again!


    “Sophia, what are you trying to imply with your words? Are you not satisfied until your father beats Lea


    up?”


    Sophia was taken aback by Bertha’s sudden change in attitude. She quickly defended herself, “Bertha,


    I didn’t mean that! I was just suggesting that Dad might have a better chance of disciplining Lea. After


    all, he stillmands some respect from her. I never said anything about him beating Lea…”


    With Bertha’s support, Lea suddenly felt emboldened. She rolled her eyes at Sophia, “You just want


    Dad to beat me up to satisfy yourself. Stop making excuses! You’ve been trying to drive a wedge


    between us and Dad from the get-go! Unfortunately for you, I have utmost respect for my mom.


    Whether she’s right or wrong, I’ll listen to her. But I’m not afraid of Dad, so you can forget about him


    disciplining me!”


    Sophia pretended to be innocent and concerned, “Lea, why must you think so poorly of me? How could


    you be so cynical at such a young age? Who taught you to think this way?”


    ! The implication of Sophia’s words were clear. She was suggesting that someone had been poisoning


    Lea against her. The only adult who had ess to Lea was Bertha! Bertha understood Sophia’s


    implication and her face became gloomy, “Sophia, I care for your father, which is why I’ve always tried


    to treat you as my own. But you’ve never epted me. I don’t me you. After all, I could never


    rece your biological mother in your heart. I respect you. If we can’t be mother and daughter, I hope


    we could at least be friends and get along. But it seems like you don’t want to get along well with me or


    Lea, constantly hinting to your father about our shorings. I genuinely don’t know what we’ve done


    to deserve your hatred. I’m your stepmother, but I’m not the homewrecker you seem to think I am. Your


    father and I got together only after your mother passed away, and Lea’s presence doesn’t threaten your


    inheritance. Why do you hate me and Lea so much?”